MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (WJPF) — The Jackson County Health Department says new cases of Syphilis have increased by more than 75% from pre-pandemic levels.

The health department says the majority of cases are among men who have sex with men, however, there has also been a recent increase among women of child-bearing age which coincides with a rise in syphilis cases at birth. Untreated syphilis can lead to hearing loss, blindness, and neurological complications.

Public health advise there is a large correlation between syphilis cases and HIV.